After Dark Redux

The Evening Star May 1968

Mark Segraves, local reporter and music aficionado should be the poster dude for DC ROCKS. This man doesn't just go out occasionally- he often goes to two or more shows a night where he records a bit of the action and sends out little reminders to the social media universe that our local scene is still alive and beaming. Mark's roots here in DC run deep. His father,  John Segraves, wrote the "After Dark" column for The Washington Star.  Now Mark and local musician Tommy Bowes have decided they want to help out both the scene and the artists with a new idea.

Here are a few details from Mark:

I’m excited to announce the formation of a new non-profit aimed at helping musicians who fall on hard times as well as promoting local music. After Dark Productions will raise money primarily by producing concerts. The proceeds from these events, that would normally go to the promoter, will go into this new fund instead. Funds raised will be distributed to musicians to assist them with a range of expenses including medical bills, lost or stolen equipment and other hardships.

After Dark Productions is the brainchild of Tommy Bowes and myself. Tommy and I recently were on teams that raised tens of thousands of dollars by producing the Hank Dietle’s Benefit, The Billy Hancock Tribute and most recently the Vinyl Acres Flood Relief Concert and we’ve decided to move forward with this idea. 

Our goal is to produce great shows that are affordable and accessible for audiences, promote local artists by giving them more opportunities to perform while paying them for their work and raise money that can be a resource in the future.

Our name is an homage to the work of my father, John Segraves. During the 1960s & 1970s he penned the After Dark column for the Washington Star newspaper covering the local music scene.

Be a good social animal and like the After Dark  Facebook page to keep up or help out. Their first official event happens this Sunday at Pearl Street Warehouse when the Rock-A- Sonics meet the Ray Apollo Allen Band.  Bands will come out swinging. 

And for all of you history nerds - Pearl Street Warehouse is part of Washington's completely redeveloped wharf on Maine Avenue.  Here's part of an article Mark's father wrote about the "new" waterfront which included the Channel Inn and Hogate's in 1972.  (Click on the picture for a readable size.)

The Evening Star October 1972